How does a series of intimate talks with theatre experts giving advice, insider information and generally sharing their knowledge sound? Pretty good right?
That’s exactly the premise of Tea For Two, the latest addition to the MT Fest UK programme. A festival like no other (no being outside in the rain for a start!), this two-week new musical theatre festival will run at The Other Palace between 11 – 23 February 2019, with Tea for Two running throughout it.
Tea for Two will be an intimate series of honest conversations with Theatreland’s most celebrated, high profile people, including an audience Q&A. The line up includes casting director David Grindrod, choreographer Arlene Phillips, producer Danielle Tarento, theatre critic Mark Shenton, director/choreographer Drew McOnie and Society of London Theatre’s very own Emma De Souza (Head of Media and Marketing).
The Tea for Two talks are:
Monday 11 February, 10.30am
Good Thing Going: The relationship between Agent and Casting Director
David Grindrod (Casting Director) and Alastair Lindsay-Renton (Agent at Curtis Brown) discuss the complex relationship between casting director and agent, sharing their wealth of experience of the casting process.
Tuesday 12 February, 2.00pm
Gotta Get A Gimmick: Marketing a New Musical
James Charrington (Chief Executive of Dewynters), Emma De Souza (Head of Media and Marketing for SOLT), Dawn Farrow (CEO of Boom Ents) and Sita McIntosh (COO for WhatsOnStage) discuss how branding and marketing can make or break new musicals. They also take a look back at distinctive campaigns and common mistakes, as well as looking towards the future.
Saturday 16 February, 11.00am
We Can Do It: You’ve Made a New Show… Now How to Get it On
Danielle Tarento (Producer) and Victoria Saxton (Executive Director of Mercury Musical Developments) discuss the often daunting process of reaching out to producers and organisations, sharing their top tips for getting your work in front of the right person, at the right time, in the right way, and how to remain positive and passionate when you get rejected.
Monday 18 February, 10.30am
Dancing Through Life: Making new musicals move
Arlene Philips (Choreographer) and Joanne Clifton (Performer and Writer) discuss their approaches to creating new work and finding distinct physical languages in musicals. Joanne is about to write her first musical and so will be able to speak frankly about the transition from dancer to a writer.
Tuesday 19 February, 11.00am
I Can Do That: The Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts in Auditions
Paul Wooller (Head of Casting for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd) has cast some of the most successful West End musicals, including Hamilton to Les Misérables. In this talk, he will answer the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about best audition practice.
Wednesday 20 February, 11.00am
Everybody’s Got The Right: The Changing Face of Criticism and How New Musicals are Reviewed
Mark Shenton (Theatre Critic) looks at the changing face of theatre criticism, how the digital age has affected the way we read reviews and the future of it.
Saturday 23 February, 11.00am
No One is Alone: The Art of Collaboration
Drew McOnie (Director and Choreographer) shares his experiences of leading creative teams and companies through the challenging process of creating a new musical. He and Paul Taylor-Mills will also discuss their past projects together as (In The Heights, The Wild Party), sharing their thoughts and experiences of collaboration in theatre.
Created by Paul Taylor-Mills, MT Fest UK has also already announced a late-night concert series and a 45-minute showcase of eight new musicals.
Tickets for all Tea For Two talks and the rest of the already announced MT Fest events are on sale now.